Medical current limiter

ABSTRACT

The medical current limiting circuit is for use with medical electrodes and associated diagnostic and therapeutic apparatus. The device protects the apparatus and patient from current flow. The device has circuitry comprising a pair of external connectors, a pair of n-type field effect transistors connected in cascade, a resistor, a p-type field effect transistor, a capacitor to latch the p-FET in a non-conductive state upon its initial activation and a diode to prevent capacitor discharge to the current source.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a device for limiting current, and moreparticularly, to a medical current limiting circuit. The device isuseful for protecting medical electrical apparatus and patients beingmonitored by electrocardiographic equipment from possible current flowcaused by the patient's contact with an outside current source or by afailure in the amplifier section of the equipment.

In the past, a variety of devices have been utilized to limit currentflow. The classical method involves placing a large resistor in serieswith the current source and the load. This method is undesireable formedical diagnostic applications because large resistors add "Johnsonnoise" which interferes with subsequent signal analysis. Phase shifts,frequency distortions, amplifier current noise and loss of common-moderejection capabilities also result from the use of a large seriesresistance.

One prior art device utilizes a pair of field effect transistors (FET),connected in series with a small resistance in between to limit current.However, this device is ineffective at limiting current to desiredmedically safe levels, for example under 20 micro-amps, without the useof large resistors. Another problem with this device is that, uponsensing an overload, it limits current to a fixed maximum value which isindependent of the applied voltage, as opposed to dropping the currentto a very low idle level, for example under 4 micro-amps.

Another current limiter device utilizes a pair of exterior n-type FETs(n-FET) in series with a p-type FET (p-FET) placed in between. Thisdevice is used for logic in computers. The p-FET is controlled by anexternal voltage connected to its gate, and thus acts as a voltagecontrolled variable resistor. The requirement of an external controlvoltage renders this device unusable for fail-safe applications such aspatient protection.

Yet another device has an n-FET and a p-FET connected in series. Due topolarity changes in alternating current (a.c.) circuits, or voltagevariations in a pulsating direct current (d.c.) circuit, a device suchas this repeatedly switches on and off and must be re-educated at eachsuccessive cycle as to the existence of excess current. Thus, itsaverage current is unacceptably high and signal transients areintroduced into the system.

Despite the need for a current limiting device which is usable forpatient protection in electro-medical diagnostic and therapeuticapplications, and which overcomes prior art problems and limitations,none insofar as is known has been proposed or developed.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide adevice that is an inexpensive and compact fail-safe current limiterwhich is usable with modern medical electrodes and associated diagnosticand therapeutic apparatus to protect a patient from accidentalelectrical shock. It is a further object of this invention to provide adevice which does not introduce deleterious Johnson noise, phase shifts,frequency distortions or amplifier current noise into the signalanalysis process, and which does not cause a loss of common-moderejection capabilities.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device which shuts offcurrent flow to a very low idle current, for example less than 20micro-amps, upon detection of a current overload and which isself-resetting. Another object of this invention is to provide a devicewhich latches its idle current to ride out successive cycles of a.c.polarity change or pulsating d.c. voltage variations without repeatedlyswitching on and off.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The medical current limiting circuit is for use with medical electrodesand associated diagnostic and therapeutic apparatus. The device protectspatients and apparatus from potential accidental current overload causedby failures in the amplifier isolation section of diagnostic andtherapeutic apparatus, short circuits, or patient contact with externalcurrent sources.

The device has a circuit comprising a pair of n-FETs, a resistor, ap-FET, a capacitor to latch the p-FET in an activated, non-conductivestate upon its initial activation and a diode to prevent the capacitorcharge from being drained to the current source. The n-FETs, resistorand p-FET are connected in series to one another in consecutive orderfrom the current source to the return or ground. The n-FET gates areconnected to the return side of the circuit. The gates are protectedfrom voltage breakdown by a resistor in series with the connection. Thep-FET gate is connected to the current source side of the circuit. Thisgate is also protected by a series resistor. The capacitor is connectedin parallel between the p-FET gate and the p-FET source terminal.

The n-FETs sense voltage drops that result from excess current passingthrough the resistor. They switch off to limit current to a low idlelevel. They are arranged in a cascade system to provide positivefeed-back which speeds switch-off. The p-FET is provided to quicklysense positive voltage at the beginning of the network without relyingon intra-network voltage drops.

The capacitor stores positive charge supplied by the initial currentoverload and maintains the charge on the p-FET gate to hold or latch thep-FET channel in a depleted, non-conducting state during voltagevariations caused by pulsating d.c. The diode is connected between thecapacitor connection to the p-FET gate and the current source to preventcharge from the capacitor from being drained to the current sourceconnection and to the patient.

Preferably, an identical set or section of the above-mentioned elementsare arranged in a symmetrical "back-to-back" fashion to provide acircuit having bi-directional pulsating direct current limiting andalternating current limiting capabilities.

The device provides inexpensive, compact, fail-safe protection for thepatient from dangerous current. The device provides such currentlimiting qualities without the use of large series resistance.Therefore, the device does not introduce undesirable noise, phaseshifts, frequency distortions or amplifier current noise. Also, loss ofcommon-mode rejection capabilities is minimized. The device shuts offcurrent flow to a very low level and is automatically self-resetting.Also, the latching feature of the device allows it to ride outsuccessive cycles of a.c. changes in polarity and pulsating d.c. voltagevariations which provides a low average current and reduces signaltransients.

These and other benefits of this invention will become clear from thefollowing description, by reference to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a medical electrode assembly being used on a patient totransmit bio-electric signals to an electro-medical apparatus, whereinthe device of the present invention is incorporated into the connectorbetween the electrode device and the cable set;

FIG. 2 shows the device of the present invention being connected in-linewith each of a plurality of medical electrodes which are attached to thepatient;

FIG. 3 shows the circuit diagram for the device of the present inventionusable in pulsating d.c. systems for uni-directional current limiting;and

FIG. 4 shows the preferred embodiment of the circuitry for the device ofthe present invention useable for bi-directional current limitingpurposes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a connector housing 21 for holding and maintaining thedevice 10 of the present invention in an operative position. Device 10is shown connected in line with a cable set 13 which extends between amedical electrode assembly 11 and an electronic medical diagnostic ortherapeutic apparatus 14. The device has circuitry designed to protector limit current flow to the patient 12 and to the electronic medicalapparatus 14 through the attached electrodes 11 and cable set 13.Examples of causes of such current flow may include a failure in theamplifier section or like components in the electronic medical apparatus14 while the patient is in contact with a ground 20, or by patient 12 orelectrode 11 contact with outside current sources in the clinicalenvironment. The former example would lead to current flow from theapparatus 14 through the cable set 13 and into the grounded patient 12,while the latter examples would involve current flow from the patient 12or electrode assembly 11, through the cable set 13 and into the groundedapparatus 14. The device 10 is thus preferably provided with circuitryto limit or restrict current flow in both directions.

The device 10 of the present invention preferably has a printed circuitboard that is contained in or incorporated with the housing 21. Printedcircuit construction allows multiple current limiters to be convenientlyand compactly placed in housing 21 for connection to a multiple leadcable 13 for use with a multiple electrode assembly 11 or with aplurality of individual electrodes. The housing 21 has a connector forcommunication with the circuit board to accept the connector terminal 19of the electrode assembly 11.

FIG. 2 shows a medical current limiting device 15 being used in-linewith single cables 18 which extend from individual electrodes 16 placedon patient 12. The devices 15 may also be constructed utilizing printedcircuit components or alternatively from non-printed circuit components.

1. Components

FIG. 3 shows the medical current limiting device circuitry or circuitrysection 38 mounted on or in circuit board 40, designed for limitingcurrent in a single direction. The device comprises a first n-FET 24, asecond n-FET 23, a first resistor 22, a p-FET 25, a capacitor 26 and adiode 27. The first and second n-FETs 24 and 23 are junction n-FETs andoperate in a depletion mode. Each n-FET has a gate (g), source (s) anddrain (d) terminal or electrode. Each is designed to have a lowpinch-off voltage, for example between 0.5 and 1 volt. The firstresistor 22 has a low resistance value, for example between 0.5 and 1.0volt. The first resistor 22 has a value of from 5 to 15 kilo-ohms. Thisrange of values will not add appreciable noise to the circuit or network38. The first resistor 22 may also be variable between this range. Thep-FET 25 is a junction p-FET and operates in a depletion mode. It alsohas gate, source and drain terminals and a pinch-off voltage of about 1volt. The capacitor 26 in the circuit is non-polarized. Finally, thediode 27 has both an anode and a cathode.

2. Method of Interconnection

A. Uni-directional circuit section

Referring to FIG. 3, the drain of the first n-FET 24 is shown connectedto a first external connection or lead 17. The gate of the first n-FET24 is connected to a second external connection 30 located at theopposite end of the circuit 38. The drain of the second n-FET 23 isconnected to the source of the first n-FET 24. The gate of the secondn-FET 23 is also connected to the second external connection 30.

The first resistor 22 is connected in series to the second n-FET 23 atits source. The p-FET 25 is connected in series with the first resistor22 at its source while its drain is connected to the second externalconnection 30. As shown, the gate of the p-FET 25 is connected to thefirst external connection 17.

The capacitor 26 is connected at one end between the first resistor 22and the source of the p-FET 25 and at its other end between the gate ofthe p-FET 25 and the first external connection 17. The diode 27 isconnected in series with the latter of the above-mentioned capacitorconnections and the first external connection 17. Its cathode is alignedtoward the capacitor connection and its anode is aligned toward thefirst external connection 17.

Relatively large resistors are prefereably provided in series with theconnections of the gates of the n-FETs 23 and 24 and the p-FET 25 totheir respective external connections 30 and 17. A second resistor 29has a value of 1 mega-ohm, for example, and is placed in series with theconnections of the gates of the first and second n-FET 24 and 23 to thesecond external connection 30. A third resistor 28 has a value ofapproximately 22 mega-ohms and is coupled in series between the anode ofthe diode 27 and the first external connection 17. The positioning ofthe second and third resistors 29 and 28 does not add noise to thenetwork 38 since the signal flows through the much smaller firstresistor 22.

B. Bi-directional and a.c. circuit

Referring to FIG. 4, the network 39 is shown mounted to or in circuitboard 41 and is designed for bi-directional current limiting, forexample in a.c. applications or where the potential for a positivevoltage at external connection 30 exists. Electrical componentsequivalent to those comprising the circuit 38, shown in FIG. 3, areeffectively here shown interconnected in a symmetrical "back-to-back"fashion. A third and fourth n-FET 31 and 32 are added in the circuit 39and connected in series with the p-FET 25. The drain of the fourth n-FET32 is connected to the second external connection 30. The gate of thefourth n-FET 32 is connected to the first external connection 17 throughthe first n-FET 24. The drain of the third n-FET 31 is connected to thesource of the fourth n-FET 32. The source of the third n-FET 31 isconnected to the drain of the first p-FET 25. The gate of the thirdn-FET 31 is also connected to the first external connection 17 throughthe first n-FET 24. A second p-FET 33 is connected in series with thefirst resistor 22 and the second n-FET 23. The second p-FET 33 isconnected to the first resistor 22 at its source terminal, its drain isconnected to the source of the second n-FET 23, and its gate isconnected to the second external connection 30. A second capacitor 34 isconnected to the gate of the second p-FET 33 at one end and to both thesecond p-FET 33 source and the first resistor 22 at its other end.

A second diode 35 is provided in circuit 39 for connection in serieswith the lead of the second capacitor 34 to the second p-FET 33 gate andthe second external connection 30. Its cathode is aligned toward thesecond p-FET 33 gate. A fourth resistor 37 having a resistance of about1 mega-ohms is connected at one end to the gates of the third and fourthn-FETs 31 and 32 and at its other end between the connection of thefirst n-FET 24 to the second n-FET 23. Also, a fifth resistor 36, havinga resistance of approximately 22 mega-ohms is connected between thesecond diode 35 and the second external connection 30.

3. Behavior of the Circuit

Referring to FIG. 3, the circuit 38 limits current flow by sensing largevoltage drops associated with high current flow. Current limitation isfurther enhanced by cascade or positive feedback design features andalso by a positive voltage sensing design feature. A capacitive latchingfeature enables the positive voltage sensing means to remain activatedthrough successive voltage decreases associated with pulsating d.c.current thus enabling the circuit 38 to maintain a low average currentand reduce signal transients.

The device 38 limits current flow to a very low idle current ofapproximately 4 micro-amps upon detection of a current overload. Thedevice 38 is also self-resetting. The device 38 does not introducedeleterious Johnson noise, phase shifts, frequency distortions oramplifier current noise to the electronic medical apparatus 14, and itdoes not cause a loss of common-mode rejection capabilities in theapparatus 14.

Assuming a positive voltage is applied at the first external connection17, an increase in current will produce a voltage drop across the firstresistor 22. The first resistor 22 value may be selected or adjusted tovary the voltage drop. Current limiting is directly proportional toresistance. The negative voltage from this drop, relative to the sourceof second n-FET 23 is sensed by the second n-FET 23 gate. The conductionchannel of the second n-FET 23 is thereby depleted and current flow isrestricted to a small leakage current which holds the gate negative.

The depletion of the second n-FET 23 increases its resistance whichfurther drops the voltage relative to the source of the first n-FET 24.This further voltage drop is sensed by the gate of the first n-FET 24which activates and depletes its channel thus further limiting currentflow to a small, gate activating, leakage amount. The interaction ofthese two n-FETs 23 and 24, along with the first resistor 22, causes acascading effect which increases the responsiveness of the circuit tolimit current levels.

The gate of the first and second n-FETs 24 and 23 are connected adjacentto the second external connection 30 and far away from the positivevoltage source at the first external connection 17 to gain as muchpotential difference for the gate terminals relative to their respectivesource terminals as possible. The second resistor 29 is connectedbetween the gates of the first and second n-FETs 24 and 23 and thesecond external connection 30 to protect the gates from voltagebreakdown.

The effect of the turn-off (depletion) of n-FETs 24 and 23 is to allowvoltage at the first external connection 17 to rise. The positivevoltage at the first external connection 17 routes to the gate of thep-FET 25 and depletes the p-FET 25 channel to further limit currentflow. The depletion of the p-FET 25 further increases the voltage dropsensed by the gates of the n-FETs 24 and 25 which results in furtherdepletion of the p-FET 25. This positive feedback lowers the current toa very low "idling" level, for example 4 micro-amps, even with highvoltages. The p-FET 25 gate is connected adjacent to the first externalconnection 17 (and thus the positive voltage source) to maximizepotential difference between the p-FET 25 gate and source terminals uponapplication of voltage. The third resistor 28 is connected between thegate electrode of the p-FET 25 and the second external connection 30 toprotect the gate from voltage breakdown. Its location in the circuit 38outside the normal pathway does not cause signal distortion.

A decreased voltage due to pulsating d.c. for example, can cause thep-FET 25 gate to deactivate resulting in momentary channel conduction.The capacitor 26 maintains charge on the gate so that it remains onduring cyclic external voltage variations. The diode 27 prevents currentfrom the capacitor 25 from draining back to the first externalconnection 17 and the voltage/current source.

Referring again to FIG. 4, the bi-directional and a.c. circuit 39functions in the same manner as that described for the circuit 38 shownin FIG. 3. The circuit 39 has equivalent components arranged in asymmetrical manner to limit current flowing in either direction in thecircuit 39. Thus, when a positive voltage is applied to second externalconnection 30, current will also be limited. The third and fourth n-FETs31 and 32 sense voltage drops in the network 39 associated with highcurrent flow from the second external connection 30 and limit current bythe cascade mechanism. Positive voltage at the external connection 30activates the p-FET 33 gate, subject to the capacitive latching of thesecond capacitor 34, to further limit current.

The symmetrical configuration of the circuit 39 also limitsbi-directional current flow associated with polarity changes inalternating current. 120 volt alternating current oscillates betweenapproximate peaks of positive and negative 170 volts. The circuit 39limits current for both positive and negative swings of this voltage.The capacitive latching mechanism maintains charge on the first andsecond p-FET 25 and 33 gates throughout the low and negative portions ofthe a.c. waveform to keep current at a low and steady idling value inspite of a.c. polarity changes.

As many changes are possible to the embodiments of this inventionutilizing the teachings thereof, the descriptions above, and theaccompanying drawings should be interpreted in the illustrative and notthe limited sense.

I claim:
 1. A two terminal, bi-directional medical current limiterdevice for series use with an electrode connected to the first externalterminal and an electro-medical diagnostic or therapeutic apparatusconnected to the second external terminal, comprising:a. a lowresistance voltage dropping means connected between the first and secondexternal terminals; b. at least one first field effect transistor havinga first gate and a first channel, said first channel being connectedbetween the first external terminal and said voltage dropping means,said first gate being coupled in said device to limit conduction in saidfirst channel during a current overload; c. at least one second fieldeffect transistor having a second gate and a second channel, said secondchannel being connected between the second external terminal and saidvoltage dropping means, said second gate being coupled in said device tolimit conduction in said second channel during a current overload; andd. first and second capacitive memory means, said first capacitivememory means being connected to said first gate, said second capacitivememory means being connected to said second gate, and said first andsecond capacitive memory means being arranged to hold said first andsecond field effect transistors in a conduction-limiting mode during acurrent overload.
 2. The medical current limiter device of claim 1,wherein said at least one first and second field effect transistorsinclude a p-channel field effect transistor, said gate of said firstp-channel field effect transistor being connected between the secondexternal terminal and said voltage dropping means, and said gate of saidsecond p-channel field effect transistor being connected between thefirst external terminal and said voltage dropping means.
 3. A twoterminal, bi-directional medical current limiter device for series usewith an electrode connected to the first external terminal and anelectro-medical diagnostic or therapeutic apparatus connected to thesecond external terminal, comprising:a. a low resistance voltagedropping means connected between the first and second externalterminals; b. at least one first p-channel field effect transistorhaving a first gate and a first channel, said first channel beingconnected between the first external terminal and said voltage droppingmeans, said first gate being connected in said device to limitconduction in said first channel; c. at least one second n-channel fieldeffect transistor having a second gate and a second channel, said secondchannel being connected between the second external terminal and saidvoltage dropping means, said second gate being connected in said deviceto limit conduction in said second channel; and d. first and secondp-channel field effect transistors having a gate and a channel, saidchannel of said first p-channel field effect transistor being connectedbetween said voltage dropping means and the second external terminal,said channel of said second p-channel field effect transistor beingconnected between said voltage dropping means and the first externalterminal, said gate of said first p-channel field effect transistorbeing connected between the first external terminal and said firstchannel, and said gate of said second p-channel field effect transistorbeing connected between the second external terminal and said secondchannel, whereby said gates of said p-channel field effect transistorsare remotely connected in said medical current limiter device to gainmaximum potential difference between said gates and their respectivesaid channels.
 4. The medical current limiter device of claim 3, whereinsaid first gate is connected between said the second external terminaland said voltage dropping means, and wherein said second gate isconnected between the first external terminal and said voltage droppingmeans.
 5. A two terminal, bi-directional medical current limiter devicefor series use with an electrode connected to the first externalterminal and an electro-medical diagnostic or therapeutic apparatusconnected to the second external terminal, comprising:a. a lowresistance voltage dropping means connected between the first and secondexternal terminals; b. at least one first n-channel field effecttransistor having a first gate and a first channel, said first channelbeing connected between the first external terminal and said voltagedropping means; and c. at least one second n-channel field effecttransistor having a second gate and a second channel, said secondchannel being connected between the second external terminal and saidvoltage dropping means, said second gate being connected between saidfirst channel and the first external terminal immediately adjacent saidfirst external terminal, said first gate being connected between saidsecond channel and the second external terminal immediately adjacentsaid second external terminal, whereby said gates of said n-channelfield effect transistors are remotely connected in said medical currentlimiter device to gain maximum potential difference between said gatesand their respective said channels.
 6. A two terminal, bi-directionalmedical current limiter device for series use with an electrodeconnected to the first external terminal and an electro-medicaldiagnostic or therapeutic apparatus connected to the second externalterminal, comprising:a. a low resistance voltage dropping meansconnected between the first and second external terminals; b. at leastone first field effect transistor having a first gate and a firstchannel, said first channel being connected between the first externalterminal and said voltage dropping means, said first gate being coupledin said device to limit conduction in said first channel during acurrent overload; c. at least one second field effect transistor havinga second gate and a second channel, said second channel being connectedbetween the second external terminal and said voltage dropping means,said second gate being coupled in said device to limit conduction insaid second channel during a current overload; d. first and secondcapacitors, said first capacitor being connected to said first gate,said second capacitor being connected to said second gate, and saidfirst and second capacitors being arranged in parallel with saidrespective gates and channels to hold said first and second field effecttransistors in a conduction-limiting mode during a current overload; ande. first and second diodes connected in series with said respectivegates to prevent the charge from said respective capacitors fromdraining to the first and second external terminals.